CVE-2005-0283 in QwikiWiki
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in QwikiWiki allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) and a %00 at the end of the filename in the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0283 represents a classic directory traversal flaw within the QwikiWiki web application's index.php script. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before processing file requests. The vulnerability specifically affects the page parameter handling, where attackers can exploit malformed input sequences containing double dots followed by null byte encoding to access files outside the intended directory structure. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack vector leverages the fundamental weakness in how web applications process file paths, particularly when dealing with user input that should be strictly controlled and validated.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a malicious request containing the sequence ".." followed by a null byte character encoded as %00 within the page parameter of the index.php script. This specific combination allows the attacker to bypass normal file access restrictions and traverse the file system hierarchy to access arbitrary files on the server. The null byte encoding serves as a technique to terminate string processing in certain contexts, effectively allowing the directory traversal components to function beyond normal boundaries. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical flaw in the application's security architecture where input validation occurs too late in the processing chain or not at all, leaving the system exposed to unauthorized file access. When the web application processes this malformed input, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the path components, leading to the execution of unintended file system operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially expose sensitive system information including configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential data stored on the server. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain insights into the application's internal structure, identify other potential weaknesses, and potentially escalate their privileges or execute further attacks. The implications are particularly severe for web applications that store sensitive data or configuration parameters in accessible locations, as the vulnerability allows for complete compromise of the application's file system access controls. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the CIA triad, as it enables unauthorized access to protected resources and can facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or data exfiltration. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to the availability of the system, as attackers could potentially access files necessary for system operation or corrupt critical data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0283 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures at multiple layers of the application architecture. The primary defense involves filtering and validating all user-supplied input, particularly parameters that influence file system operations, to prevent the inclusion of directory traversal sequences such as ".." or similar path manipulation characters. Implementing a whitelist approach for acceptable file names and paths provides the most effective protection against such attacks. Additionally, the application should employ proper encoding and escaping techniques to handle special characters in user input, ensuring that null bytes and other problematic sequences are properly handled. Security measures should include restricting file system access permissions for web applications, implementing proper access controls, and ensuring that the web server operates with minimal privileges. Organizations should also implement regular security testing including vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems. The remediation process requires immediate patching of the affected software, proper configuration of the web server to prevent directory traversal attacks, and comprehensive security awareness training for developers to prevent similar issues in future application development cycles. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the need for continuous security monitoring and testing in web application environments.